While the bill is a mixed bag for sustainable agriculture, the strong progress made on a variety of fronts in the bill is the result of congressional champions and the tireless efforts of farmers and grassroots advocates who made their voices heard through countless calls to Congress, meetings and farm tours with legislators, and outreach to their communities on how to weigh in on our nation’s food and farm policy. To all of you who made a call, shared a tweet, educated your representatives on your farm or food business, and took the time to reach out to members of your community, a big thank you!

A big thank you to everyone who stayed with us through the incredible twists and turns of the multi-year process and took action to support sustainable food and farming systems!

What’s Next?

With the ink drying on the new bill, focus now turns to implementing the programs and policies in the bill. This year and next, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be writing the guidance and rules that provide details on programs. USDA will be putting out funding announcements and notices, seeking comment on the structure of new programs, and doing outreach to farmers, communities, and consumers on programs and resources that are available.

Engaging in the implementation process of the new bill is critical for the programs and policies to be successful on-the-ground. In the coming months, we will be providing resources and information about programs in the new bill as well as opportunities to engage in how USDA is rolling out programs and policies. Stay tuned, sign up to stay informed, and get ready to make sure that all of the good things in the farm bill turn into real change across the country!

[…] they are to some ‘on the ground comments’ about the American Farm Bill 2014 from a sustainable agriculture perspective and from the American Public Health Association (APHA), interested in its implications for […]